This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Consumer complained that side windows were not going up and down at will. Consumer took the vehicle to a dealer, and was told that the motor window regulator was defective. To have them repaired would cost at least $500 per window, which consumer did not have.
Just purchased my first VW Jetta. May be my last VW period. My windows work when they feel like it. After researching the problem, I found out this is a extremely common problem that VW takes no reponsibility for. Fixing it myself, it costs me $150 every time it happens. I should charge VW $70 an hour for labor!
Since I have had my 1996 VW Jetta gls, all four window regulators and all four window motors have broken. I have spoken to several people who have had the exact same problems with their Jettas.
All four windows in my '96 Jetta have malfunctioned. Problems involve the window regulators and the motors. As it is today, my vehicle has three operating windows with defects (makes loud crunch sound when rolled all the way down) to a stuck-half-way window that won't go up or down.
- Santa Ana, CA, USA
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All four windows broke in my VW Jetta gls. I bought the vehicle used, as that was what I could afford. When the first two broke, I called VW usa (not the dealership) to get an estimate on what they were going to do about it. I told them I found the technical bulletins describing the exact issue I was experiencing. They told me specifically "MA'am, we don't know what you've done to the car, therefore we can only pay for 1/2 of the cost of repair". I was furious at the suggestion that all I do all day is sit in my car and burn out the window motors. I ignored it until a few months later when the driver's side window fell into the door as I was entering the parking garage at my place of business. I called VW again and they told me there was nothing they could do since I was a 2nd owner and there was no warranty for me. I got two of the three fixed to the tune of about $900 (which was half off) and left the 3rd (in the rear) broken. Now, all four windows have broken and I refuse to pay for the repair of the two remaining broken windows since it is now a 100% failure rate. 50% is unacceptable, but 100% is downright ridiculous and no consumer should have to deal with this frustration over and over again. Also, I know two other Jetta owners (both own 1997 models) and both of them have had at least 2 windows break. Something has to be done about this issue, even for 2nd owners of this particular brand of automobiles.
3 of 4 windows don't work. Motor burned out on rt front, regulator burned on lft front, rt rear does nothing. Dealership told me it would cost upward of $800 to fix. **dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*734295
3 of 4 windows don't work. Motor burned out on rt front, regulator burned on lft front, rt rear does nothing. Dealership told me it would cost upwards of $800 to fix.
Electrical systems failed and caused alarm to go off, power windows not to open or close. Took to mechanic, who replaced lock system which helped for awhile. Took it back again, and this time mechanic located electrical wires that had fused together under dash and were causing electrical failure.
Electric window operators on this vols Jetta have failed on all four windows. In the case of the driver's side window the mechanism failed with only 31,000 miles on the car. The dealer admits that these mechanisms fail regularly but volks usa refuses to discuss the failure. Sooner or later someone going to be in an accident and he or she will not be able to get out of the vehicle because this window mehanism has failed without notice. Volkswagen usa refuses to discuss the matter or to make partial payment for this design fault.
My car has had continued window motor and regulator problems beginning 3 months after the purchase of the car in July 1996. Six times the window motor/regulator has stopped working. Currently there are three windows in the car which do not function properly. I consider this safety issue because should there ever be passengers seated by those windows in the case of an accident or fire, and the doors did not work there would not be a way to get out of the car.
Within 4 months both rear windows malfunctioned.this appears to be a common problem w/Volkswagen. The part is now made of plastic. It seems this defect should have been recalled or at least replaced when it malfunctioned. The cost of the part is $108 through volkswagon dealer. That is without labor charges.
3 of 4 windows don't work. Motor burned out on rt front, regulator burned on lft front, rt rear does nothing. Dealership told me it would cost upwards of $800 to fix.
Power window regulators on all 4 windows have broken. The right rear window mechanism has broken twice. The second time requiring the power motor also be replaced. The failure rate on this vehicle seems to be beyond what would normally be expected.
Locks freeze in inclement weather. Cannot gain access to car. Window seals were defective from the first month of lease causing floods in back of vehicle. Window motor and regulator defective. Cannot bring windows up or down. General motor failure. Car slows down when going downhill
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- La Mesa, CA, USA